Disney has partnered up with renowned director Guy Ritchie to bring the audience to a whole new world in the Aladdin live-action adaptation. Over the weekend, the studio boss Sean Bailey revealed why the The Man From U.N.C.L.E. director to helm the series. Read below.

Getting Aladdin Right

The entertainment company is in the mood for reboots. After Cinderella and this month’s Beauty and the Beast, Disney wants to bring back Aladdin and Jasmine to the big screen. There is not much information about the planned live-action adaptation. The actor who will play the titular role is yet to be cast. As of this writing, Disney is still looking for a Middle Eastern man and woman aged 18-25 years old who can sing and dance.

But the studio did find the perfect director to helm the series. Last year, the company announced that Ritchie will serve as the director to the anticipated live-action remake. With movies like Snatch and RocknRolla, the award-winning filmmaker does not seem like the kind of guy to make Disney movies. However, Bailey argues that Ritchie is perfect for the project.

The head of Disney’s Motion Picture Production recalled that Ritchie really wanted to make a Disney movie. The director explained that his stories are about street hustlers and, therefore, he knows what to do with the studio’s biggest street rat. “Aladdin is a classic street hustler who makes good,” Bailey recounted to Vulture. Moreover, the project is quite refreshing with Ritchie on the reigns. “The idea of a highly energized Guy Ritchie Disney musical felt like, ‘Oh, we haven’t done that before,'” he said.

Disney’s Remake Factory

Aladdin is not the only remake at Disney HQ. Mulan is also getting a live-action adaptation in the near future. The studio already promised that they will cast an Asian actress for the titular role of Fa Mulan, the savior of China.

Director Niki Caro (Whale Rider, North Country) revealed that much to the horror of her children and everyone who grew up watching Disney animated movies, there will not be singing in the upcoming remake. Moreover, it looks like Captain Li Shang, Mulan’s romantic interest, will not be in the movie! According to Mirror UK, Disney might introduce a new character that will serve as Mulan’s rival.

After that, Disney will also remake Dumbo for the modern audience. Tim Burton, who started it all with Alice in Wonderland, will direct the movie. Eva Green is in talks to star. Also in the to-remake list are Tinker Bell, Snow White, Jungle Book and more.